Better Things in Christ Hebrews 11:32-40

Introduction-1

Hebrew christians were bearing strong persecution- Heb. 10:32-33 They had lost land and property- Heb. 10:34 They were becoming weary and near going back into Judaism The writer uses three ways to prevent them from apostatizing The writer warns them about the condition and consequences of

apostasy He uses the example of past heroes of faith to encourage them to

be steadfast and to persevere

Introduction-2

He also emphasizes the greater privileges and blessings that are had in Christ compared to those under the Law of Moses

The word better is used is used 13 times in the leter to the Hebrews

We were never under that law But we are under the law of Christ which replaced it- Heb. 10:9 We can and should be encouraged by the better things that we

have in Christ today

A Better Covenant-1

• Heb. 8:6- But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry , inasmuch as He also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises• Its superiority is seen in the way it was sealed or put into force• The law of Moses was sealed with the blood of animals- Heb. 9:19-

20• The law of Christ was sealed with His own blood

A Better Covenant-2• The Law of Christ also provides better promises• The Law of Moses promised Canaan as a homeland for God’s people• It promised a Messiah who would be born among them•We have all the blessings of the Messiah for whom the Jews looked• Exceedingly great and precious promises through which we may be

partakers of the divine nature- II Pet. 1:4• Salvation from sin and fellowship with God through Him- I Jn. 1:7• The promises of Christ’s New Covenant extend beyond this life

A Better Mediator and High Priest-1

•Moses was the mediator of the 1st covenant• He intervened on behalf of Israel when they sinned- Ex. 32:31-32• He was a great man who was faithful in all His (God’s)house-Heb.3:2• But Jesus, the Son of God is our Mediator- I Tim. 2:5• Greater than all men and all angels- Heb. 1:4• One who knows our temptations and sorrows having experienced

them Himself

A Better Mediator and High Priest-2

•Who also knows what God requires of us having fulfilled every requirement while in the flesh • A Mediator who is also our High priest•Who is sympathetic with us in all our troubles- Heb. 4:15•Who even now intercedes for us in Heaven- Rom. 8:34• And who will always be available to help us in time of trouble or

sorrow- Heb. 4:16 & Heb. 7:25

A Better Sacrifice for Sin

• Under Moses’ law animal sacrifices were made to make atonement for the sins of God’s people• Each year animal sacrifices were made to make atonement for the

sins of the past year- Lev. 16• But those sacrifices could not provide forgiveness- Heb. 10:4• The blood of Christ provided forgiveness for those sins- Heb. 9:15• His blood is able to forgive every sin committed from Adam to the

last sinner on earth- Heb. 10:12

A Better Hope-1

• Heb. 7:19- For the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.• The Israelites had the hope of a home in a land flowing with milk

and honey•Where they would rest in peace and enjoy God’s favor and blessings

as long as they lived• Their hope was based upon God’s promises

A Better Hope-2

•Which are sure but conditional- Isa. 1:19•Most of those who received the promise died in the wilderness

because of unbelief- Heb. 3:19• And others later lost their inheritance due to disobedience•We have the hope of eternal life- Titus 1:2 • And a far better inheritance- I Pet. 1:4• A perfect and eternal home for God’s people

A Better Hope-3

• Our hope is based upon a conditional promise also- Col. 1:21-23• Some have given up that hope for the enjoyment of temporary ease,

pleasure, position or prosperity- II Tim. 4:10•We need to be on guard lest we also become unfaithful• For Heaven will surely be worth all of our present troubles and

sacrifices- II Cor. 4:17• Do you have hope in Christ this afternoon?